The Indicator | October 25th, 2024

By Sonal Gandhi
Chief Content Officer at The Lead

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A federal court judge has blocked the proposed merger between Tapestry (Coach, Kate Spade) and Capri (Michael Kors). The FTC had asserted that the deal would be detrimental to consumer prices and product design, as well as employee compensation. In other news, True Religion is featuring Megan Thee Stallion in a holiday campaign while Lululemon will design and develop NHL fan apparel. And a new Farm Rio store just opened up in BK!

'INNOVATION MOVES'

● True Religion has announced that Grammy Award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion will be featured in its holiday campaign. The campaign also features rapper Hunxho. By teaming with Megan Thee Stallion and Hunxho, True Religion is tapping into the brand’s enduring popularity in hip-hop culture that has helped it weather financial struggles, including a 2020 bankruptcy. (Retail Dive) 

● Lululemon Athletica has entered an arrangement with sports merchandiser Fanatics Inc. and the National Hockey League to design and develop fan apparel. The new Lululemon clothes will feature 11 of the NHL’s 32 teams this season. (Bloomberg) 

● Estée Lauder’s namesake brand is launching on Amazon with an assortment of products across skin care, makeup and fragrance — as well as an Amazon-exclusive virtual try-on tool for its foundation. (WWD)

● Amazon is imposing severe price caps on what merchants can charge for their products on a new low-cost storefront that the e-commerce giant is preparing to launch to compete with Temu. Amazon plans to ship orders to US customers directly from a facility in Guangdong, China, and is reportedly charging sellers lower fulfillment fees for items sold through the new storefront. (Business of Fashion)
 
● Olive & June is growing its at-home nail offerings. The company launched its gel mani system, which will become available at Target in January. In the future, it will launch at Walmart and Walgreens.The new kit offers soft gel polish which is increasingly popular in nail salons. (Glossy)
 
● Ulta Beauty is partnering with e-commerce tech company Rokt to introduce non-endemic ads, allowing companies like Hulu and PayPal to present relevant offers to Ulta’s 44 million loyalty members using its retail media network. Non-endemic ads are not directly related to the products or services of the host platform, allowing advertisers to reach audiences outside their usual categories. (Glossy) 
 
● Farm Rio comes to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to open its 5th U.S. store, which is reminiscent of a rainforest. (WWD)

'Financial Moves'

  • Judge blocked Coach owner Tapestry’s proposed acquisition of Michael Kors parent Capri.

  • Esprit (retailer) sold its U.S. and European shoe trademark rights to Deichmann (German shoe retailer).

  • Voortman Cookies (J.M. Smucker’s cookie business) was sold to Second Nature Brands (backed by CapVest Partners).

  • belliwelli (wellness brand) raised a $10M Series B from Invus.

  • Kirkland’s (home décor retailer) raised $25M from Beyond Inc., and gained the exclusive licensing rights to open and operate smaller-format Bed Bath & Beyond stores nationwide.

  • Lender group to buy Tupperware out of bankruptcy.

 

Financial Moves Powered by MMG Advisors

'Career Moves'

Career Moves Powered by JBC 

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